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A multi-day rafting adventure in the Pacific Northwest can make your summer, and preparing for it can be an adventure in itself. Packing all the camping equipment and other gear you'll need for a multi-day rafting trip while keeping your baggage as minimal as possible sometimes requires a bit of ingenuity.

Consolidation is the key to efficient packing, and rafting requires you to choose compact, multi-purpose gear with plenty of versatility. Here are a few rafting essentials that offer lots of utility without hogging space in your dry bag.

LED headlamp. A personal flashlight is a no-brainer in any camping situation, and they don't come any more compact or universally useful than an LED headlamp. Between its sleek design and powerful beam, an LED headlamp offers all the light you'll need without taking up precious dry bag real estate. Plus it's hands-free in case you need illumination while your hands are busy.

Multi-tool. A durable knife is another survival must-have, and a multi-tool not only offers a knife blade but allows you to combine several other camping essentials into one compact tool. Look for a multi-tool that includes pliers, scissors, a miniature saw, a file and other helpful camping equipment, such as a compass, fork or LED light. The more items you can combine into your multi-tool, the fewer you'll have to stuff into your dry bag.

Camping equipment. The majority of available space in your dry bag will be taken up by your basic camping equipment, so it's important to make these items as compact as possible. Make sure your tent folds up small enough to fit in the kayak, canoe or raft. For bulky gear such as sleeping bags, consider using stuff bags with cinch straps to force the air out and make them as small as possible. If you're going to be doing any cooking, preserve space with an exchange blade cutlery kit.

Other useful items. Here are some additional tips to help you condense your camping equipment and save space in your dry bag:

-- Sweat-wicking clothes: As much as possible, choose fabrics that are thin, quick-drying and offer protection from the sun as well as insulation at night.

-- Microfiber towel: Look for a thin, quick-dry towel that efficiently absorbs water but has only a fraction of the bulk of a regular towel.

-- Plastic zipper bags: These are universally handy on any rafting trip for waterproof storage. Use them to hold small items such as lighters and matches. You can also save cooler space by removing food from its original packaging and storing it in plastic bags.

-- Toilet paper: Make toilet paper more compact by removing it from the roll and stuffing it into a plastic zipper bag.

-- Thermal safety blanket: Its reflective material doubles as a signaling tool if you require emergency help.

-- Hefty garbage bags: Bring sturdy garbage bags for packing out your trash. In a pinch, these can also double as makeshift ponchos or dry bags.

When preparing for a Northwest rafting trip, keep in mind your dry-bag space is limited. Pack lightly, and stash your camping gear in soft bags.

~Flora Richards-Gustafson, 2010

Flora Richards-Gustafson lives in Portland, Ore., and writes for Discount Lights and Knives.
Gear up for your next rafting trip with the latest in space-saving camping equipment, including compact LED headlamps and multi-tools, at the DLK website for hunting, fishing, rafting and camping gear.

How To Start Your Own Business and Travel First Class For Free

Have you always dreamed of owning your own business, having
the time and money to visit exotic locations and being able
to fly first class?

If you love traveling, live in or near a city with a large
national or international airport, and you have the kind of
lifestyle that lets you pick up and go on a moment's
notice, then you might want to think about starting your
own business as an "air courier".

What is an air courier? It's a person who is hired to
transport a specific item from one destination to another,
within a specified deadline.

And, before you start imagining sinister men in trench
coats carrying guns with silencers, and beautiful foreign
women transporting secret microchips, let me reassure you
that traveling as an air courier is 100% legal and
aboveboard!

What you are asked to transport varies tremendously -- it
can be almost anything -- legal documents such as letters
or business contracts, children going from one country to
another, medicine that was forgotten during a vacation,
reports, computer disks, product prototypes -- the list is
endless.

In fact, because of the "instant gratification" mindset
today where we are used to information and communication
that travels faster than the speed of light, air courier
companies have seen their businesses grow tremendously over
the last ten years. What that means for you is increased
opportunities for free travel.

Who can become an air travel courier? Anyone who is over
18, holds a valid passport and who is in good health. It
also helps if you're flexible and can pick up and travel on
very short notice.

Why is this a wonderful opportunity?

When sending a package by air, the shipper has two options
-- the first is to send the package as "cargo." Cargo
travels alone (especially since the tragedy of 9/11), is
shipped in bulk in large containers that usually aren't
sent until the container is full, in order to maximize
revenues for the airlines.

In addition, especially when cargo is sent overseas, there
are sometimes long delays getting the package through
customs, there are endless regulations that must be
followed, inspections that must be passed, etc.

For the air courier companies, who have to make sure the
package is not only delivered, but reaches the intended
recipient as quickly as possible, these delays are
unthinkable. (If they don't make their deadlines, then
their competitors will. Think of the slogan from one such
company..."when it absolutely, positively has to be there
overnight...")

On the other hand, if the same item is considered "personal
baggage" and is carried with a ticketed passenger, it
arrives with the passenger, and generally passes through
customs quickly, without all the delays.

Plus, a person can book a ticket for a specific flight
arriving at their destination at a specific time -- not so
for cargo. Which means that a shipment that could take days
or weeks if it's classified as cargo, can take hours
instead because it's classified as baggage.

Because very few of the air courier companies have the
resources to employ full-time couriers, the industry itself
has come to rely on freelance air couriers, which, even
when having to pay someone to travel, and covering the cost
of their airfare, is still a better ROI when compared
against the paying full-time wages, holiday and sick pay,
insurance and all of the other costs involved with having
employees.

This is where you come in.

As an air courier, you are providing a valuable service in
a growing market. And from the traveler's point of view,
you might find yourself flying to Paris one day, and Hong
Kong a week later!

Once you've been hired, the process is pretty simple: the
company contacts you, to check your availability. When you
confirm, they book the flight and let you know when to be
at the airport. You're met at the airport by a
representative, who gives you your ticket, a list of item
or items you're transporting, and your baggage claim
tickets. They'll usually even have checked you in, saving
you many hassles. You get to sit in first class, and enjoy
the flight. That's it. You don't have to contact the
recipient in the city you're flying to, actually pick up
the package on your way to the airport, or do anything
other than be responsible for it going from one airport to
another.

At your destination, you'll be met by another company
representative, who will take the baggage claim tickets,
and give you your return ticket.

How long do you get to stay? That depends on you and the
air courier company. Sometimes your schedule will be tight
-- you may only get hours between flights. Other times,
you'll have a day or two. Obviously, as your reputation
increases and the companies you work for know that they can
rely on you, you have more room for negotiating.

There are several ways to get started. There are actually
companies who recruit air couriers, and the fees for
joining are usually nominal. The benefits of going through
a certified company can be many. For example, they often
provide information that it could take you a long time to
figure out on your own. They also offer forums, newsletters
and other resources to help you succeed. Because they have
built a reputation, you might find it easier to get started
in the business by working for one of them at first.

But, you can also find the information completely on your
own, and start off freelancing. Look in the yellow pages
for air couriers that are located near your local airport.
Figure out where you'd like to travel to, and make a list
of the locations they serve. Because there are companies
who transport items both internationally or just within the
states, where you travel is largely going to be a matter of
personal choice.

Also, make sure that you investigate each company before
applying with them. You want to make sure that they are a
solid business, with a good reputation. Once you've
narrowed down your choices, get on the phone, and find out
what their application process is. Many companies today
prefer that you apply online. Whatever the process is, make
sure that you provide them with all the information they
request.

Timely tip: After submitting your application, follow up
with a thank-you letter, on your new "company" letterhead.
Remind them of your availability, that you can accept short
or no notice flights. Find a way to position yourself above
that of the other couriers.

Once you've gone through the process the first time, you'll
have a much better idea about which other companies you
want to apply to and how to hone your interview skills. (So
don't make your first application with the biggest company
that you want to work for the most.) Obviously, if you
limit yourself to one or two companies, you'll also be
limiting the amount of work you'll get and the locations
you can travel to.

Timely Tip: Put together a database of the companies you've
applied to, the date you applied, and contact information.
Follow up with the company regularly, but don't be a pest.

Once you've been hired, don't be surprised if you start
getting calls within the first couple of weeks. There is a
growing need for professional, responsible air couriers.

Here are some things to keep in mind when you start working:

1. Be professional. Remember that while shorts and flip
flops may be comfortable for vacationers, you're working
and representing the air courier company.

2. Often the only baggage you get to take with you is hand
carried. Invest in microfiber clothing in basic colors, and
learn to pack essentials only. If you do get to stay for
longer than a few days, you can always pick up some
essentials once you're there.

3. Give your own business card to the company
representative in the country you travel to, and make sure
that your email and voice mail information is included.

4. Apply to all the companies you've decided you want to
work for, and then follow up with the ones that haven't
contacted you regularly -- perhaps a polite letter or even
a one-page newsletter that lists the latest on industry
related news.

5. Stay organized. Don't over commit yourself, and try
never to have to cancel a trip.

Being an air courier is a great way to make money and see
the world. Bon Voyage!

About the Author

Chair man Kenneth Cobonpue
Lectures arent usually mobbed but when word got around that Cebu-based industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue was kicking off Ayala Museums "Design Talks" lecture series, staff members feared that they wouldnt have enough seats. Ironic, since Mr. Cobonpue built his international reputation on chairs.

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